Athletic training device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A system for training an athlete in kicking and dribbling a soccer ball, the system employs a plurality of training devices that defines a dribble path along the playing surface. The training devices each include a body disposed between an end cap and a spike. The cap is attached to a top end of the body and, the spike is attached to an opposite end of the body. The body having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to absorb shocks and prevent breakage in the event of a strong blow by a ball or player. In particular, the body is designed to yield or bend in response to a strong blow by a ball or player. In application, the player can insert the spike of each of a number of the athletic training devices into a playing surface at various intervals in a variety of patterns so as to enable the soccer athlete to practice different drills to develop a variety of athletic skills.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 60/526,395, filed Dec. 03,2003, with title “Athletic Training Device and Method of Use” which ishereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. Par. 119(e)(i).

Statement as to Rights to inventions made under Federally sponsoredresearch and development: Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention relates generally to methods, devices andarrangements for athletic training, and more particularly to a devicefor use in training to improve one's skills in an athletic endeavor suchas, but not restricted to, the playing of soccer.

2. Background Information

Soccer is a game that is actively enjoyed by a large segment of thepopulation. Soccer has been played widely worldwide, and studies reportthat the sport currently enjoys a rapid growth rate in the UnitedStates.

Traditionally, soccer is taught through drills which emphasize varioussoccer skills and through actual playing practice. In soccer, both speedand control of a ball are important. It is further desired that theathlete gain proficiency in a number of skills that are peculiar to thegame of soccer. First, there is the need for the athlete to dribble thesoccer ball with his/her feet, requiring the athlete not only to kickthe ball, but also to stay ahead of it, so as to maintain controlthereover. In addition, the soccer athlete should be trained to dribblethe soccer ball along a predetermined path designed to implementspecific strategies and plays. There is a need, therefore, for a soccertraining system that will facilitate the training and evaluation of asoccer athlete in dribbling the soccer ball along a predetermined path.

As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferredembodiments of the present invention are improvements over existingathletic training devices and methods of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a simple and economical system fortraining athletes, and for evaluating their performance in dribblingtechnique, ball control, foot speed and confidence, and speed ofreaction. The athletic training device of the present inventiongenerally comprising an end cap, a coil member, and a spike. In thepreferred embodiment, the end cap is manufactured of a rubber materialand is color coated. The coil member having sufficient flexibility andresiliency to absorb shocks and prevent breakage in the event of astrong blow by a ball or player. In particular, the coil member isdesigned to yield or bend in response to a strong blow by a ball orplayer.

In application, the athlete can insert the spike of each of a number ofthe athletic training devices into a playing surface at variousintervals in a variety of patterns so as to enable the soccer athlete topractice different drills to develop a variety of athletic skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, an athletic training device.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the athletictraining device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ball handling drill with, and pattern of use of,the athletic training device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, an athletic training deviceand method of use thereof is disclosed. The athletic training device isdirected to a training device to improve one's skills in the playing ofsoccer. The disclosure further is directed to the application of theathletic training device to improve speed and ball control, dribblingtechniques, and to enhance speed of reaction.

Specifically, it will be noted in the drawings that the athletictraining device relates to a device designed to improve technical soccerskills. In the broadest context, the athletic training device of thepresent invention consists of components configured and correlated withrespect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the athletic trainingdevice 10 made in accordance of the present invention. As best shown inFIG. 1, the device 10 comprises a longitudinal central section 12 havingan upper end 12A and a lower end 12B. An end cap 15 is attached to theupper end 12A of the central section 12, and a spike 17 is attached tothe lower end 12B.

In order to obtain the objectives of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the central section 12 defines a generally spiralcoil and is made of a steel coil or spring construction. The coil ispreferably a coil spring commonly available on the market and may beformed during manufacture of the device in a similar manner.

The central section 12 is formed of material having flexibility andresiliency to serve for absorbing shocks and prevent breakage in theevent of a strong blow by a ball or player. In particular, the centralsection 12 is designed to yield or bend in response to a strong blow bya ball or player.

FIG. 1 clearly illustrates the resiliency of the device 10, the dashedlining representing the yielding or bending of the central section 12 ofthe device 10 in a direction “A” when struck. The central section 12 istherefore sufficiently resilient to allow the player's foot or leg forexample, to strike the athletic training device 10 and yield indirection “A” to avoid injury to the player.

The end cap 15 may be formed of a plastic material such as rubber orother elastomeric material, to serve for absorbing shocks. Preferably,the end cap 15 is constructed of a color coated rubberized material.

The spike 17 supports the athletic training device 10 in an uprightorientation on the playing field. In the preferred embodiment, the spike17 is adapted for use on a soft playing field, such as turf.

Previously, the player of a prior art training device had to cope withthe worry of moving or stepping on training obstacles duringapplication. The inconvenience of repositioning the prior art deviceand/or concern of injuries caused when striking the prior art deviceimpaired the reaching of full potential of the effectiveness and safetyof the device. Of most importance, the device 10 of the presentinvention yields or bends as shown in FIG. 1 upon contact by the device10 with the player. Now the player is fully confident to avoid injuryduring application of the device.

The entire structure, including the central section 12, is simple indesign and rugged to give exceptional service in use. The centralsection 12 is desirable because of its flexibility and its ability tohold its original taut condition and shape. This is in combination withits flexibility which gives unexpected improved flexing efficiency andhelps the player avoid injury during the exercise or training session.

In FIG. 2, an alternative construction of the athletic training device100 in the area between the end cap 150 and spike 170 is shown. Thedevice 100 comprises a longitudinal central section 120 having an upperend 120A and a lower end 120B. The end cap 150 is attached to the upperend 120A of the central section 120, and the spike 170 is attachedadjacent the lower end 120B.

In the alternate embodiment, the central section 120 defines a generallycylindrical tubing that is preferably hollow (interior not shown). Aspring member 130 is disposed at the lower end 120B of the centralsection 120. In particular, the spring section 130 having and end 132attached to the spike 170. The spring 130 is further appropriatelyfastened to the lower end 120B of the central section 120.

In application, the central section 120 is designed to yield or bend atthe location of the spring member 130 in response to a strong blow by aball or player.

FIG. 2 clearly illustrates the resiliency of the device 100, the dashedlining representing the yielding or bending of the central section 120as discussed above in a direction “A” when struck. The central section120 is therefore sufficiently resilient to allow the player's foot orleg for example, to strike the athletic training device 100 and yield indirection “A” to avoid injury to the player.

FIG. 3 is a representation of an arrangement for application of theathletic training device 10 in certain skills related to the game ofsoccer. As shown in this figure, a plurality of athletic trainingdevices 10 are arranged along a predetermined path “P”. In this figure,the training system having a plurality of athletic training devices 10is shown in use by a player 200. The player kicks soccer ball 205 alongpath “P” between the plurality of situated training devices 10. Thistraining arrangement and method provides significant practice in thedribbling skill that is essential in the soccer game.

A significant aspect of the skill that is enhanced by the presenttraining system is greatly improved ball control. It is a common errorof inexperienced soccer athletes to kick the soccer ball too far aheadof themselves whereby the ball cannot be protected by them from recoveryby members of the opposite team. That is, of course, a fear on the partof the player that if the ball is maintained too close to the playerduring running and dribbling, he or she will trip over the ball. Thepresent training system, in providing the plurality of athletic trainingdevices 10, permits the player to focus on preventing tripping over thedevices rather than the ball. Additionally, the time required for theplayer to complete the course that is to manage the soccer ball 205along the path “P” from point “B” (beginning) to point “E” (end)instills in the player the understanding that the ball must bemaintained close to the player if its direction is to be controlled andif it is to be protected from his/her opponent.

As is understood, the plurality of athletic training devices 10 situatedcan define a straight (not shown) or a meandering or zig-zag (FIG. 3)path along the playing field. The establishment of the path by theplurality of athletic training devices 10 will instill in the athlete intraining the particular route to be associated with any given soccerplay, the strategy associated therewith being determined by theinstructor or coach (not shown).

In application, the plurality of devices 10 are arranged as describedabove. Any number of exercises can be performed in the selectedarrangement. For example, the player 200 can kick the ball along thepath “P” illustrated in FIG. 3. The exercise can require the player tojog or run, preferably on the balls of the feet, kick the ball and evenjump over the plurality of athletic training devices 10. Although thereare available numerous exercises for building cardiovascular fitness,including, for example, jogging, swimming, and bicycling, such exercisesare not as effective for developing soccer-specific skills. In order tobecome proficient at soccer, the athlete must exercise properly themuscle groups needed for soccer, which includes the strengthening of thetoes, ankles, calves, shin muscles, hamstrings, knees, thighs, and lowerback.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the provision of centralsection 12 fabricated as discussed above gives several importantadvantages. A player is free to run full out along the course sincehe/she does not have to concentrate on missing the athletic trainingdevice 10 that he/she could inadvertently step on or into. This providesnew aggressiveness in the players of the device and therefore improvesits effectiveness as a training piece of equipment, especially forsoccer players. The player may directly run into the device 10 along thecourse without serious discomfort or injury. Should the playerinadvertently strike the device with his/her leg for example, thespring-like central section 12 can also flex giving improved safety andefficiency by allowing the player a better chance of retaining his/herbalance. The safety is further enhanced by the end cap 15 constructed ofrubberized material so that should the player contact the device, therubberized end cap will be engaged rather than sharp upstanding members,such as stakes that were previously used for staking out a trainingdevice.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention.

1. An athletic training device comprising: an elongated central sectionhaving an upper end and a lower end, an end cap attached to the upperend of the central section, a spike attached to the lower end of thecentral section, said central section being sufficiently resilient toallow the central section to yield when said central section absorbs ahit by a ball or a player.
 2. The athletic training device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the end cap is constructed of a plastic material. 3.The athletic training device as recited in claim 2, wherein the end capis constructed of a color coated plastic material.
 4. The athletictraining device as recited in claim 1, wherein the central section is acoil spring.
 5. The athletic training device as recited in claim 1,wherein the spike is constructed of a rigid material in order topenetrate a soft playing field.
 6. The athletic training device asrecited in claim 1, wherein said central section and said end cap andsaid spike are integrally formed.
 7. A system for training a player in akicking dribble skill with a soccer ball on a playing surface, thesystem comprising: a plurality of training devices defining a path onthe playing surface along which the player is to be trained, wherein theplurality of training devices each include a body disposed between anend and a spike, wherein the end is attached to a top end of the body,and the spike is attached to an opposite end of the body, wherein saidbody being sufficiently resilient to allow the body to yield when saidbody absorbs a hit by the ball or the player.
 8. The system as recitedin claim 7, wherein the end is constructed of a plastic material.
 9. Thesystem as recited in claim 8, wherein the end is constructed of a colorcoated plastic material.
 10. The system as recited in claim 7, whereinthe body comprises a spring.
 11. The system as recited in claim 7,wherein the spike is constructed of a rigid material in order topenetrate the playing field.
 12. The system as recited in claim 7,wherein said body and said end and said spike are integrally formed. 13.A method for training a player in a kicking dribble skill with a soccerball on a playing surface, the system comprising: determining a dribblepath over which the player is to be trained, installing a plurality oftraining devices along the dribble path on the playing surface alongwhich the player is to be trained, wherein the training devicecomprising a body disposed between an end and a spike, wherein the endis attached to a first end of the body, and the spike is attached to asecond end of the body, wherein said body being sufficiently resilientto allow the body to yield when said body absorbs a hit by the ball orthe player.
 14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the end isconstructed of a plastic material.
 15. The method as recited in claim14, wherein the end is constructed of a color coated plastic material.16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the body comprises aspring.
 17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the spike isconstructed of a rigid material in order to penetrate the playing field.18. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein there is further providedthe step of kicking the soccer ball in a ball travel direction betweenthe training devices and along the determined path until the player hastraversed a predetermined distance of the dribble path.
 19. The methodas recited in claim 13, wherein said body and said end and said spikeare integrally formed.